KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: This Sunday marks the Winter Solstice—Robert Frost’s “darkest evening of the year.” It’s when we in the Northern Hemisphere most appreciate human inventiveness: We flip a switch, and light floods the room. It feels like magic, but it’s not. It’s the result of generations of curious, determined humans trying to make life better, brighter,
safer. That’s why my family celebrates Lightbulb Day every December 21. It’s our homegrown holiday honoring the inventors and problem-solvers whose insights fuel our lives. We toast our favorite technologies, learn some history, imagine the future. Past years’ MVPs include contact lenses,
antibiotics, the internet, veterinary science, and the Covid vaccine. This year’s front-runner: artificial intelligence. Last weekend, I had breakfast with a friend and her 13-year-old daughter, Lily. Lily said she loves math and science but struggles with how her teachers approach the humanities, especially writing. When I showed her how AI can help her learn in the way she learns best, her face lit up. So I went home and wrote a how-to article for Lily, her mom, and any of
you with kids in middle school or older: How Students Can Use AI to Learn to Write (Without Giving Away their Brains). AI isn’t here to think for us. It’s here to help us think more effectively with our own minds. That’s a message worth repeating, especially to our kids.
In this new AI age, the real danger isn’t the technology itself, it’s the temptation to hand our brains over to it and say, “Here, you do all the work.” So this Lightbulb Day, I’m raising an Erlenmeyer flask, not just to the great inventors of the past, but to Lily, and to every young person learning to think with tools rather than letting tools do the thinking. Because the real magic isn’t flipping the switch; it’s understanding where the current comes from, and
imagining what we’ll power with it in the future.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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I'm thrilled to announce that my new book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities (co-authored with Jamie Carter) is now published and shipping across North America! It’s packed with inspiring, true stories of everyday leaders who stepped up during the 2024 eclipse to bring people together, spark change, and strengthen their communities. Told with warmth and insight, this book makes a perfect holiday gift for the visionary, organizer, or community-builder in your life. Click the graphic to order from Amazon on print or Kindle; for other ordering options (including educator and bulk orders), or to see an annotated table of contents and the introduction, head to https://theeclipseeffect.com.
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Curious how your AI know-how compares to other parents? We surveyed over 300 of you, and the results are in! The big takeaway? You aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. While most parents have a basic grasp of the technology, over 52% feel unequipped to actually guide their kids through it. The number one thing you requested help with was "Digital Defense"—specifically, how to spot misinformation and fake news. You can read the full, fascinating report at kidsoutandabout.com/research. Ready for round two? Help us dive deeper by taking our new, quick 13-question survey here: https://forms.gle/1nTsaG384SW8cUpL7.
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Watch out, Pasadena! A charismatic salesman Harold Hill has just arrived, and he’s stirring up a whole lot of “trouble!” Presented by Theatre 360, this beloved Broadway classic comes to life with a talented cast of 30+ young performers. Join us this December 19-21 for a heartwarming, toe-tapping show bursting with energy and charm!
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The SoCal Explorer is a free augmented reality adventure that turns local parks, museums, and even your home into an interactive learning experience. Families can enjoy flexible, self-paced "Missions" that promote movement and learning, with locations across LA and the Greater SoCal region including: Griffith Park, Echo Park Lake and many more. The campaign is designed with accessibility in mind, offering sensory-friendly activities. Players can complete Missions to win awesome prizes. The campaign runs through January 10 and is free. Download the Agents of Discovery app, find a Mission, and start exploring at https://recreation.parks.lacity.gov/aod
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Join us for a celebration filled with joy and light! Loosely translated, Hikari means “shine” in Japanese, and this holiday season we have really made Tanaka Farms shine with over a million twinkling lights! Grab a hot cocoa and take a cozy Wagon Ride around the festively lit farm that will take you to the “Land of a Thousand Lanterns!” Once off the wagon, you will wander through the light displays, with photo opportunities throughout. After the wagon ride, make your way down to the Festival Grounds where you can visit with the Barnyard Animals, grab some food from the Tanaka Grill, take advantage of lots of photo-ops, games, Arts & Crafts, meet Santa for a photo, and, of course, more holiday lights! (all activities are priced individually.) Enjoy live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights
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Celebrate the holiday season with some of your favorite animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Aquarium Holidays runs until December 23 with some special activities on the weekends.
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Bacy by popular demand, this holiday season…a waterfront ice rink in the heart of Newport Beach! Enjoy ice skating with views of the water and Lighting of the Bay
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For children from infants to 5 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This not a drop-off program. Members free; included in paid admission. Registration is not required.
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Every day is Pet Photo Day with Santa this holiday season! Bring your pets to pose with Santa! Your pets are part of the family too, so don’t miss out on this special opportunity for them to enjoy Santa! Visit Santa on Level 1, near Nordstrom. November 8 through December 24
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Discover the sweet side of science at Science of Gingerbread, featuring dozens of creative gingerbread structures crafted by families, students, and makers. From whimsical houses to engineering-inspired designs, this annual holiday exhibit blends creativity, STEM, and festive fun. Guests can explore the displays all season and vote for their favorite creation.
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The holiday spirit shines bright at Knott's Merry Farm. Experience a Christmas celebration with winter wonderland-inspired décor transforming the entire park into a classic holiday festival, featuring a landscape of thousands of twinkling lights, miles of themed garland, jumbo snowflakes, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings. Knott's Merry Farm offers Christmas activities for families and joyful experiences inspired by the spirit of the holidays. This holiday season, enjoy Christmas shows like Home for the Holidays, a musical revue featuring classic Christmas tunes, holiday lights, magical dancing toys, and dazzling snow, all set on an elaborate, transforming wintertime stage. The holiday season at Knott's Merry Farm also means a return of the beloved ice show starring the famous beagle, the Peanuts Gang, and a cast of world-class ice skaters. 'Tis the season for delectable holiday dining food that can't be found anywhere else and only offered this time of year. The…
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Little Folk Club returns to Dana Point Harbor. Join us on the Island for plenty of interactive music and Friday fun to kick off the weekend. Located across the bridge at Island Way right in front of the Richard Henry Dana Statue. Please feel free to bring along your favorite instruments, blankets, towels, and chairs.
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Movies have captivated our attention and emotions for over 100 years. Come celebrate cinema on a 30-minute guided tour of select galleries which feature the exciting, diverse, and complex stories of filmmakers from around the world. Dive into the worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, the creative production designing duo behind films such as Barbie (2023), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Anna Karenina (2012), and their partnership in building immersive and breathtaking worlds. Tour guides use voice amplifiers to enhance sound accessibility.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Los Angeles. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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The Los Angeles area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in
festive activities.
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KidsOutAndAbout is America's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, so click
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the LA area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in the Los Angeles area! In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Who won first place? An indoor play center, museum, farm, nature center, sports
team? Click through to find out!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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